Lowndes County candidates faced the public Friday night at Anderson Grove in the first of three forums put on by the Concerned Citizens of Lowndes County.
Sixteen candidates showed up, including those from races for supervisor, coroner, sheriff, chancery clerk and tax assessor, and about a hundred citizens attended. The event was nonpartisan, and all Lowndes candidates were invited.
District 1 supervisor
Republicans Michael Brock and Kevin Clark and Democrat Tommy Lee Kidd all attended in person. Republican Matt Furnari was out of town and unable to attend, but he had someone speak on his behalf.
Brock, who has owned an insurance company for over 20 years, said he would be a good listener.
“I will represent you with dignity, honor and respect,” Brock said. “I will listen to your concerns and strive to help make this county what we all want it to be, which is great.”
Clark said he had wide-ranging experience in running his own contracting business, working for Weyerhaeuser and even working on a farm.
“If you’re too good to do the small things, you’re not good enough for the big things,” Clark said. “I’ve done everything from sweep the floor to make multi-million-dollar decisions.”
Caledonia Mayor Betty Darnell spoke on behalf of Furnari, reading a prepared from the Caledonia alderman.
“(Aldermen) work with law enforcement, streets and sidewalks, parks and recreation, the acquisition and sale of property and the recruitment and support of business,” the statement read. “I have a great starting knowledge base for supervisor.”
Kidd cited his 30-plus years of experience with the road department.
“If you call me with a problem, I don’t have to wait and call the road manager and ask what we can do to fix it,” Kidd said. “I already got an answer for you.”
District 2 supervisor
Incumbent Trip Hairston and challenger Brad Holliman both attended. Both men are running as Republicans.
“I stand here on my record,” Hairston said. “We have a $2.5 billion development going on that’s going to create a thousand jobs. … I was happy to be a part of that, and I was instrumental in helping put that together.”
Holliman said he was a longtime county employee.
“I’ve been a volunteer firefighter for 22 years, and I’ve worked with the road department for 17 years,” Holliman said. “For 13 of those years I’ve been a foreman in District 1.”
District 3 supervisor
Independent Christopher Moore was the only District 3 candidate to speak.
“The (board of supervisors) is building, and I want to be a part of that,” Moore said. “I want to find a different way to serve Lowndes County, and I feel like this is the way to do it. We’ve had growth, and we need things that will keep our kids here to work at the industries we’re bringing in.”
Chad Frasher, Tony Hannah and Andy Williamson are all running as Republicans.
District 4 supervisor
Incumbent Jeff Smith was the only candidate in attendance. He has been in office for 16 years.
“Positive change has come to Lowndes County,” Smith said. “This is an opportunity we’ve never had before to continue this growth. We just had $2.5 billion in industry signed into Lowndes County, and that means jobs and more jobs … and more opportunity.”
He is facing Anthony Sanders and Herman Phillips. All three are running as Democrats.
District 5 supervisor
Independent Tiffany Turner was the only candidate to attend.
“I have noticed we see the same supervisors in our community, but we do not see (District 5 Supervisor Leroy Brooks),” Turner said. “He shows up a few times, but when it includes a camera, reporters and an audience. This is a problem. How can one represent the community when one is not active and engaged with the community?”
Incumbent Brooks is running as a Democrat.
Sheriff
Both incumbent Republican Eddie Hawkins and Democrat challenger Willie Jones attended.
“In my last campaign, I promised we would clean up the drug problem in Lowndes County,” Hawkins said. “We got a good start on that. We’ve increased the number of officers in the narcotics unit, and we’re out here making arrests every day. We’re making a positive impact on our community.”
Jones said he had 21 years experience in law enforcement.
“I’ve seen firsthand what happens at the sheriff’s department, and I want to see improvement,” Jones said. “I want to be the sheriff for everyone. I understand narcotics and there’s a lot going on, but you’ve still got peer pressure. … I want to get the community and the churches to come together and be as one.”
Coroner
Incumbent Republican Greg Merchant was the only candidate who attended.
“(The coroner’s office has) more than 60 years of death investigation experience,” Merchant said. “I have an EMT, a retired police officer and a registered nurse. We have a broad experience base. … We’ve investigated 15,000 deaths here in Lowndes County.”
Merchant is facing Democrat challenger Leonard Williams Jr.
Chancery Clerk
Incumbent Republican Cindy Goode was the only candidate to attend.
“My office has 86 years of combined staff experience,” Goode said. “I have 14 years as a deputy clerk before I was elected, and I have 17 years experience as a paralegal. … I would love to continue to push my office and continue to keep up the state-of-the-art equipment that we have.”
Democrat challenger Andre Roberts sent event organizers a text explaining he was out of town due to a previous engagement.
Tax Collector
Maci Griffin, Diane Whaley Stephens and Kalee Talley are all running as Republicans.
“I plan on making the office better by answering phone calls and making it feel like an open house,” Griffin said. “I want you to feel welcome when you walk in. I want the staff to make you feel knowledgeable and not feel low.”
Stephens said she has long experience working with the county previously.
“I worked for the county for 16 years in accounts payable,” Stephens said. “I have 30 years experience in accounting. … Customer service will be number one. If you need me at 2 a.m., I will be there for you.”
Talley said she is already experienced in the tax office.
“I am currently employed in the tax office, and I have been there for about 4 1/2 years,” Talley said. “I’ve served as the lead deputy clerk for about a year and a half. … With the experience already in the office, I am aware of the improvements everyone would like to see.”
District 3 Justice Court judge
James E. Gunter was the only candidate to attend. He is an Army Reserve veteran and a retired Mississippi Highway Patrol trooper.
“I’m running for judge to make a difference,” Gunter said.
He is facing Joseph Mickens and incumbent Peggy Phillips. All three are running as Democrats.
Two more forums are set for 7 p.m. on July 21 at the New Hope Community Center and July 28 at the Artesia Community Center.
The primary election is Aug. 8, and the general is Nov. 7.
Brian Jones is the local government reporter for Columbus and Lowndes County.
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